Spring shot a ball of fire at her opponent, dashing in with her Sword of Eternal Flame to slash at him. The man dodged backward, blocking the other hits with his shiny gold dagger. The man disappeared, and Spring felt him appear behind her. Kicking her foot backward, she twirled on her other foot to face her enemy. Throwing himself to the side, Spring’s neck slash missed. She parried him as he lunged toward her. She put her sword to his throat.

  Her Sword of Eternal Flame vanished as she brushed some hair out of her boyfriend’s face.

  “That was a good try.” She said. “You could have actually defeated me. Well, maybe not. But it was a good try.”

  Mat’s sweet face looked down at her, sweaty and red. Spring had never seen a more handsome man.

  “Thanks.” Mat said. “You’re hard to pin down.” He commented.

  “Unless I want to be.” Spring said, giving him a small smirk.

  “B – behave.” Mat stuttered. She loved it so much when he tried to flirt. He always turned into a soft, cuddly puddle that she just wanted to hold.

  She had to admit, he was a rather good fighter, even if he still needed some work. Going from nothing to this was quite good in only a few months.

  It had been a month and a half since Humphrey had attacked them in the tower, and he hadn’t turned up again. Not anywhere in the city, as far as Spring had heard.

  Sam had been working hard and learned much about the symbols on the people’s faces, most of it assumptions as they only had one reference to work with. Still, Sam had reasoned out quite a lot.

  “I believe,” he said, “that the runes change a person’s power to a degree. Corrupt them. It doesn’t make them fully different, but it changes the ways they function and gives and takes some abilities.

  Humphrey had purple wings. His eyes were originally green. He sent out purple waves when he slashed the air with his sword. It is only logical to assume that, in some way, the runes change a person’s Bloodline powers.”

  It had all made sense, but it would be useful to have another living specimen to base their theories off of.

  Spring brought her mind back to the present, and her sweet boyfriend.

  His Emerald eyes sparkled in the sunlight, filled with adoration.

  Spring kissed him quickly before summoning her sword again.

  “Ready for the next round?” She asked cockily.

  “You’ll do fine.” Spring promised. “They’re going to absolutely love you.”

  “What if I embarrass myself?” Mat asked, adjusting his coat for the hundredth time.

  “Then I’ll love you just the same as I do now.”

  “What if they don’t like me.”

  “I’m a fully grown woman. They can dislike you all they want but they can’t force me to break up with you. I wouldn’t do it anyway.” Spring promised.

  “I hope everything goes well.”

  They arrived at Spring’s parents’ home. It was small and cozy, with two floors and a nice little garden.

  Spring knocked on the door, giving Mat a reassuring look.

  An older man with a greying moustache and little hair opened the door, embracing Spring warmly.

  “Dad!” She said happily. “It has been too long.”

  “Oh you’re a busy girl we understand.” Her dad said. “Your mum’s just cooking dinner.”

  “Thank the Gods!” Spring exclaimed. She turned to speak to Mat. “Mum does a fantastic roast.”

  Mat grinned, but it was a nervous smile.

  “Ah you must be Mat.” Spring’s dad said, walking up to greet him. He held his hand out, and Mat took it, shaking it nervously.

  “No need to be so worried boy.” Her dad chuckled in a kindly way. “We’re not going to bite you.”

  Her dad let go of his hand, leading Mat into the house. Mat wiped his sweaty hand on his coat. Had he got sweat on Spring’s dad’s hand?

  “Spring, could you go and help your mother. I just want a quick chat with Mat here.”

  Spring gave him a quick smile before leaving the room.

  “It’s good to see her again.” Her dad said. Mat didn’t know what to say.

  “You can call me Mr Asuti.” Mr Astui said seriously.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Mat opened his mouth to speak before Mr Astui laughed again. “I’m pulling your leg. You can just call me John.”

  “Okay.” Mat squeaked.

  John led Mat to one of the armchairs, sitting in the one opposite.

  “Now I just wanted to have a chat with you about Spring.”

  Mat nodded rapidly.

  “You know she is powerful. She is being trained by one of the most powerful people on the planet. Yet I can’t stop seeing her as my little girl. How time flies eh?”

  Mat didn’t know what to say.

  “Don’t hurt her.” John said. “She’s been an outcast for years and now she has people to spend time with. Don’t do anything that would break her heart. Please.”

  “I won’t.” Mat promised.

  “Good.” John smiled, his jolly persona returning. “I’ve never seen Spring look at anyone like she looks at you. It warms my heart. I know we have only just met but I think you’re a good person. So, make sure you cherish her. And never disrespect her.”

  “I – I would never.”

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t. I just thought I should make that clear. Now, why don’t we go and join the other two. Dinner isn’t that far off.”

  Mat entered the kitchen right behind John. Spring was chatting away enthusiastically to her mother. Mat felt like the luckiest man alive as he looked at Spring’s beautiful face.

  Spring’s mum shared her blonde hair, although he could see a few grey hairs starting to grow.

  Spring’s mum rushed over, hugging Mat tightly.

  “You must be Mat.” She said, letting go of him. “Spring has just been telling me all about you.”

  “Oh…” Mat said.

  “She has been telling me all about your incredible mind and how much she loves you.”

  “Mum…” Spring muttered, turning dark red.

  “Sorry dear. I wasn’t meant to say that was I?”

  No.” Spring said, shyly catching Mat’s eye.

  Mat moved over to her and took her hand.

  “Aww.” Her mum said. “You two are so sweet.”

  Mat and Spring looked at each other, smiling sweetly at one another.

  “Go sit down at the table. Dinner will be ready soon.”

  Mat ran his hands through his hair again, much to Spring’s annoyance.

  Rolling her eyes, she rearranged his hair, so he looked presentable.

  “You look fine Mat. Stop doing that with your hair.”

  “Sorry.” Mat said quickly.

  Spring placed her hand on top of his, letting her head touch his.

  “You’re doing great my love.” She said. “Stop doubting yourself.”

  “Are you sure?” Mat asked. “What if they don’t really like me? Or maybe – wha -”

  Spring had grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss.

  “Sweetness,” She mumbled so only he could hear, “I swear to you, you’re doing great. I’m not a liar.”

  She kissed him again so he couldn’t begin talking himself back around to doubting himself.

  “Dinner’s ready!” Spring’s mum called, bringing plates of food into the room, followed closely be Spring’s dad who was bringing even more plates.

  Spring was no longer kissing Mat, as she didn’t want to embarrass him in front of her parents.

  The food was delicious and Mat ate much of it, taking more potatoes than any of the other three.

  “So Mat, what type of things do you like to do with your free time.”

  “Cuddle Spring.” Mat said. When it dawned upon him what he had just said and who he had just said it to, a knot formed in the pit of his stomach.

  Spring snorted her drink of water out of her nose, coughing and laughing in equal measure.

  “I – I didn’t mean that.” Mat insisted, kicking himself for saying that as well. That sounded like he didn’t like Spring. “Not that I don’t like doing that.” His face was burning with unbearable heat. “But I – I wasn’t g – going to say that. But it is true, but not like that. Did you put some spices in those potatoes? I think I’m burning up.”

  Mat stumbled over his words.

  Spring had her hand on his shoulder, breathless from laughing so hard.

  “Gods help me.” Spring cried, wiping tears from her eyes.

  Mat met the eyes of his girlfriend’s parents, completely mortified.

  Rather than getting angry or defensive, they chuckled lightly.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Spring’s mum said. “You’re both adults. We didn’t assume you were just getting to the point of hand holding.”

  “Is there anything else you like to do that doesn’t involve tarnishing our good and pure name?” John joked.

  “I… cycle.” Mat said. “I like reading but haven’t done it in a while.”

  “What’s your favourite book?” Spring’s mum asked.

  “Um, I don’t know if you will have heard of it before Mrs Astui.”

  “It’s Mary.” She said. “Now please, I have read a lot of books.”

  “It’s called Lord of the Rings.” Mat said.

  Everybody, other than Spring gave him a baffled look. Spring already knew; he had told her once after… being with her one night.

  “It’s not very well known.” Mat said quickly.

  “I see. Well, it sounds very interesting.”

  Spring had finally recovered from her laughing and planted a kiss on his cheek.

  “You big dork.” She said affectionately.

  “Are you certain you don’t want to spend the night?” Mary asked. “Your bedroom is still clean.”

  “No thanks mum.” Spring said. “Mat and I need to be getting back. We’ll pop by again soon. Oh, and if you see Susan, tell her to come by, won’t you?”

  “Of course we will dear. See you soon.”

  George and Sam were chatting outside the tower as Mat and Spring were returning.

  “No I didn’t!” George argued jokingly. “Would I ever take your pen?”

  “Yes, George, you would.” Sam said. “What the hell.” He muttered, looking behind George.

  “What?” He asked, turning around.

  Grinning, Sam quietly cast a spell, turning George’s trousers pink.

  “There’s nothing there.” George said. Looking down, he saw his new trousers. “What the hell Sam! Now you’ve done it. All of your white robes are going to be washed alongside this.”

  “Hey!”

  “If I have to suffer so do you.”

  They both spotted Mat and Spring walking back at the same time.

  “Ten spirit coins say he’ll trip over his feet when she looks at him or touches him.” George said.

  “Twenty if a kiss makes his brain malfunction before that.” Sam said, smiling smugly.

  They knew that both things they said would happen. It just depended on which one was first.

  “You boys alright?” Spring asked.

  “Grand.” George said. “Say, what is that on your cheek Mat?”

  Sam jumped into the conversation.

  “Did you two have a good date?” He asked. “I trust you didn’t kiss too much in front of your family too much Spring. Still, now you’re out of there you can do it all you like.”

  “Of course.” George agreed. “But first you two should really hold hands. That would be really romantic.”

  Mat and Spring glanced at each other, but he didn’t fall over his feet.

  “Are you two alright?” He asked.

  “You’re acting strange.” Spring said.

  “No we’re not.” George said.

  “We’re the same as ever.” Sam agreed.

  “Right…” Spring said. “Well, if you don’t mind Mat and I are off to bed. We have a lot of training ahead of us tomorrow. We’re going monster hunting remember.”

  Sam rolled his eyes.

  “Looking forward to it.” He lied. “I’ve been waiting all week for this.”

  Spring smiled at his obvious sarcasm.

  “Goodnight then you two.” Spring said, turning her gaze on Mat. “Now we are off to bed.” She said, kissing him. Mat turned bright red, stuttering out a response as Spring giggled at him.

  “Damn it.” George said. “I really thought I had them there.”

  “I’ll be expecting my money.” Sam said proudly, entering the tower.

  George tutted and joined him.